Patrick George

No one should have to pay a professional for every bit of maintenance on their car. There are simple and easy things all of us can do to keep our rides running properly, and much of it is preventative.

And while you need the right tools for the job, that doesn't mean you have to go out and buy a super-expensive tool set.

That's our question of the day: What's a simple tool every car owner should have?

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My recommendation is a really basic one — a flashlight. If you need to fix something in the dark, or in a garage, or you need to poke around the engine of a used car you might be buying, being able to see what you're dealing with is invaluable. A flashlight should be in everyone's tool set.